Business Buzz

Two astronauts leaving NASA

Two astronauts – Clayton Anderson and Brent Jett have left NASA after long careers with the space agency. Anderson began his 30-year NASA career in 1983 as an engineer in Mission Planning and Analysis at Johnson Space Center and was selected as an astronaut in 1998. He trained as a backup crew member for Expeditions 12, 13 and 14 and most recently served in management and as space station Capsule Communicator.

Anderson conducted six spacewalks during two space missions and has more than 167 days of spaceflight experience.

“Clay will certainly be missed in the Astronaut Office, especially for his technical expertise. His combination of shuttle, station long duration, and spacewalk experience was extremely valuable to us,” said Bob Behnken, chief of the Astronaut Office. “We wish him continued success in future endeavors, and know he will continue to captivate whenever and wherever he shares his spaceflight experiences.”

Anderson holds a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in physics from Hastings College.

Jett’s NASA career includes four space shuttle flights, two as pilot and two as commander, heading the agency’s Flight Crew Operations Directorate and most recently serving as deputy manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

“Brent has been a remarkable asset to NASA and our human spaceflight programs,” said NASA Association Administrator William Gerstenmaier, who said Jett’s work in Russia and in Houston has really helped position the agency for future endeavors.

Soon after his second flight, Jett served as one of the early directors of NASA’s operations in Star City, Russia, at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, helping establish the training protocols for astronauts traveling to Mir and eventually to the International Space Station.
Jett retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain in 2007 after more than 26 years of service. He had logged more than 5,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft and performed more than 450 aircraft carrier landings. His experience on four shuttle missions totaled 42 days in space while traveling 17 million miles and orbiting the Earth 659 times.

Mireles to head Pearland office

Diane Mireles, a realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Green’s Friendswood office at 2251 County Road 94, has been tapped as manager at the company’s Pearland office.

“We are pleased to have Diane lead the team at our Pearland office,” said Mark Woodroof, partner in Gary Greene. “Diane is successful, experienced and has a solid reputation,” added Marilyn Eiland, also a partner in the firm.

Mireles, who has 20 years experience in residential real estate, is certified as a buyer’s agent, fine homes specialist and relocation agent, has been honored as Realtor of the Year by the Bay Area Board of Realtors. She also is involved in community and charitable causes.

“My goal for the office,” she said, “is expansion. I have seasoned agents who are dedicated and successful at what they do, and I’ll be looking for more team members who can help us increase our market share in the area.”

NASA hikes value of Wyle contract

NASA has increased the value of a contract with Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Group of Houston to provide continuing support to the Human Health and Performance Directorate at Johnson Space Center.

The modification increases the value of the contract by $49 million, from $914.5 million to $963.5 million. This value is just a portion of the contract. The overall value of the contract with this change is $1.2 billion. Wyle has held the cost-plus-award-fee contract since May 1, 2003. The contract ends April 30. A follow-on competition, known as the Health and Human Performance Contract, is under way.

Services provided under the current contract support the International Space Station and Orion programs and includes medical services, research, technology development, engineering, operations and flight hardware development to support the health, safety and productivity of crews living and working in space.